Cumming Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Cumming Bicycle Accident Attorney

Too many drivers in Cumming and surrounding Georgia communities don’t consider the safety of the cyclists with whom they share the road. Cyclists have much less protection from crashes than drivers and frequently sustain catastrophic injuries in collisions. These catastrophic injuries can bankrupt injured cyclists and cause severe emotional distress.

Kaufman Law proudly represents injured cyclists in Cumming as they fight for justice. Our bicycle accident lawyers have served Cumming and the greater Atlanta area for over 45 years, so we understand these cases and the challenges involved. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for our clients and will use every available resource to maximize your compensation. You don’t owe us any fees unless you win your case, so call now or complete our contact form for your free initial consultation.

Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Cumming, GA

After a bicycle crash, you’re likely in severe pain and need financial relief as medical bills pile up and you miss work. This is a challenging situation, and knowing where to turn for help is hard.

A bicycle accident lawyer serving Cumming is your best ally during this dark moment. Bicycle accident claims involve extensive investigations, reams of paperwork, and delicate negotiations with insurance companies. You don’t have the time or energy to manage those tasks, but a bicycle accident attorney can handle them for you. Lawyers know what evidence to look for in these cases, the appropriate deadlines and legal procedures, and how to push back against lowball settlement offers from insurance companies.

It’s particularly important to have a lawyer if your case goes to trial. Civil trials involve special rules and procedures, and a mistake at any point during the process could cost you dearly. However, bicycle accident lawyers are skilled litigators and can present a persuasive case to a judge or jury.

What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Cumming, GA?

Some common causes of bicycle accidents in Cumming include:

• Distracted driving – Drivers who are looking at their phones, using GPS devices, adjusting their music, talking to passengers, or daydreaming are more likely to miss a nearby cyclist and collide with them. Georgia’s distracted driving law is meant to help reduce these crashes, yet they continue to happen alarmingly often.
• Speeding – Drivers often underestimate the dangers (to themselves and others) of speeding. The faster a car is going, the more time and space it needs to slow down and stop safely. Speeding drivers often don’t have enough time to avoid hitting a cyclist in their path, assuming they can even see a cyclist in time to apply the brakes.
• Impaired driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or certain prescription medications may experience delayed reaction times, impaired judgment, or misjudge how close other cyclists are. All these factors make a bicycle accident more likely.
• Failure to yield – While bicyclists should not suddenly dart into traffic, drivers must watch for and yield to cyclists crossing at crosswalks or marked intersections when a cyclist has the right-of-way. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t yield to cyclists when they’re supposed to, which often leads to catastrophic accidents.
• Vehicle defects – Defective brakes or other critical components can cause a bicycle accident if they fail and cause a driver to lose control of their car.
• Dooring accidents – Drivers and passengers in parked cars can cause accidents if they open their doors without checking for nearby bicyclists. If the cyclist doesn’t hit the door directly, they may swerve out of the way and into the path of oncoming traffic.
• Unsafe lane changes – Drivers who aren’t watching for cyclists can cause an accident if they make an unsafe lane change and drift too far out of their lane.

Serious Injuries in Cumming Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists are more likely to sustain severe injuries in collisions with cars because they don’t have the protection that a car provides. Common bicycle accident injuries in Cumming include:

• Traumatic brain injuries – Bicyclists can sustain severe brain injuries from a hard landing after being ejected from their bicycle, even if they’re wearing a helmet.
• Spinal cord injuries – A hard fall after an ejection or a direct impact to the back or side can severely damage a cyclist’s spinal cord, possibly leading to partial or complete paralysis.
• Road rash – Landing hard on the road and skidding after a collision can cause cyclists to sustain severe cuts, bruises, and abrasions.
• Broken bones – A hard landing after a crash or a direct impact from a car can easily break a cyclist’s bones. Many cyclists sustain multiple bone fractures in accidents, leading them to spend weeks or months recovering. Furthermore, bones that don’t heal properly can cause lifelong movement or coordination issues.
• Internal bleeding – The force from a collision can easily cause internal bleeding or injuries to internal organs. These injuries can be fatal without immediate medical treatment.
• Crushed or severed limbs – A direct impact from a car can crush or sever a cyclist’s limbs, particularly if the car hits the cyclist from the side.
• PTSD and other mental health conditions – A bicycle accident is a traumatic experience, and many injured cyclists experience severe anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions for years after the initial crash. These conditions may keep injured cyclists from returning to cycling or enjoying other activities.

Who’s at Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Cumming, Georgia?

The party who’s liable for a bicycle accident in Cumming depends on the circumstances of the accident. The key issues in these cases are whether the cyclist or another party had the right-of-way and whether anyone involved in the crash broke any traffic laws.

For example, cyclists and drivers generally have the same rights and responsibilities in Georgia, including the right to an entire traffic lane when traveling. Therefore, if a driver causes a bicycle accident because they broke the law or didn’t yield to a cyclist when required, they are likely liable for the crash.

Another common scenario for bicycle accidents in Cumming is a driver hitting a cyclist who’s crossing the street. While state law says cyclists should not dart into the path of oncoming cars, the law also says drivers must watch for cyclists and yield to cyclists crossing the street at designated crosswalks or intersections. Accordingly, a driver could easily be liable for hitting a cyclist crossing the street.

What Is Your Cumming Bike Accident Claim Worth?

Depending on your injuries, medical expenses, and other factors, your compensation in a Georgia bicycle accident claim could include money for:

• Current and future medical bills related to the accident
• Lost income and reduced future earnings due to your injuries
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Diminished quality of life due to your injuries
• The cost to repair or replace your bicycle or other damaged property

Deadline to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Cumming, GA

Under Georgia law, you must file a bicycle accident lawsuit within two years of the crash in most circumstances. Contact an Atlanta area personal injury attorney right away so they can preserve critical evidence and have enough time to build a strong case.

Contact Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Cumming? You deserve compensation—and justice. Contact Kaufman Law today to speak with a skilled Cumming bicycle accident attorney. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. Let Us Fight for You.